These Are All The Missing Wii Games of North America and The World

Mario Super Sluggers
Regions Released: Japan, North America

This game didn’t make it around the globe, which is sad.  Maybe the rest of the world doesn’t care about baseball, but it’s still a Mario title so it could sell.  We all know Americans will never embrace soccer yet we still got Mario Strikers Charged for the Wii.  I also know for a fact that while this may not be the best game, kids happen to love it.

Captain Rainbow
Region Released: Japan

Captain Rainbow is a quirky action adventure game with lots of references to Nintendo characters.  The game is one that caught my eye but the biggest problem for its localization is that there is a lot of crude and vulgar humor within the game.  I’m sure Nintendo doesn’t want to be associated with something like that, but would it be too hard to make some changes to the game so it isn’t as bad?  I wouldn’t know because sadly I wasn’t able to play it.

Excitebots: Trick Racing
Region Released: North America

Wow, a Wii game that is good and only got released in North America?  I feel sorry for the rest of the world because this sequel to Excite Truck blows the first game out of the water.  It’s a crazy racing game that judges the winner on the score they earn during the race, but don’t worry racing fans, there are big points for coming in first as well.

This game was a sleeper hit for me and I kept going back to play it.  There are so many wacky things to do in this game and each vehicle looks like some sort of animal.  It’s a shame that the rest of the world didn’t get to try it.

Line Attack Heroes (WiiWare)
Region Released: Japan

Like Xenoblade Chronicles, Line Attack Heros was announced to be coming out in North America, but as of right now it doesn’t seem like that is going to happen.  This title hit Japan almost a year ago and looked like it could be fun.

When players defeat enemies in Line Attack Heroes they can convert them to their own side, which adds them to the player’s line.  As this line grows the player will be able to unleash more powerful attacks.  Each character has a different attack and only the line leader can unleash this special attack via Wii Remote waggle.  The game allows players to change who the line leader is with the press of a button.  Once players have a line they can’t just keep it however.  Taking damage may cause certain characters to switch sides!

The concept sounded fun and it sadly looks like I’ll never get to try it.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare)
Region Released: Japan

Three Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games have been released on WiiWare in Japan but nowhere else.  While the series may not be my favorite, it is still one that has its fans.  In addition it’s Pokémon and if Pokémon can’t sell on WiiWare I don’t know what can.

Another thing to note is that Nintendo never released the update in My Pokémon Ranch, another WiiWare title, that allows users to use HeartGold and SoulSilver versions.  This update was handed out in Japan however.  Yet one more thing that Nintendo refused to localize for no reason.

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In conclusion, there are many Wii titles that people around the world have yet to play.  I’m sure that there are different reasons that each title didn’t find its way to every region but this is something that needs to happen in lesser numbers.  Hardcore Nintendo fans such as myself don’t play other consoles and are looking for games to play on the Wii.

In all honesty there hasn’t been a truly great Wii game released since Donkey Kong Country Returns last November.  Now would be a perfect time for Nintendo to start localizing the three games that Operation Rainfall has been pushing for, or to start localizing any of the games mentioned in this article.  As far as I know there is no precedent for a fan movement changing Nintendo’s mind when it comes to localization but I hope that changes.

Additionally if Nintendo isn’t willing to take chances on these new games how will do they plan to expand past their already established franchises?  Taking a chance could create new franchises that will sell big in the long run.

My entire life as a Nintendo fan I’ve seen games that I want to play never make it to my region and I’m glad that I’m not the only one that is getting tired of it.  This goes back way before the Wii as well and I still don’t know why Nintendo hasn’t used their Virtual Console service to make amends for the localization tragedies of the past.  Hopefully now the company will open their eyes and see that there are fans that care and that want these titles.  Unfortunately it doesn’t look like that will matter, but I still have hope that Nintendo will change their minds on this matter.

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